Ponting's last hurrah leaves Australia clinging on

Ricky Ponting's Test career came to close with an anticlimactic innings of eight runs to leave Australia, chasing an improbable 632 for victory, struggling at 110 for three at lunch on the fourth day of the third test against South Africa on Monday.

The loss of David Warner for 29 and Shane Watson for 25 brought the former Australia captain to the crease at 11.46am local time (0346 GMT) to join opener Ed Cowan, who will resume after the break on 37 with Michael Clarke (8).

Welcomed onto the field for his 287th test innings by a guard of honour of applauding South African players, Ponting shook hands with Proteas captain Graeme Smith before tamping down the wicket with his bat.

The 37-year-old offered defensive shots and left one of the first five balls he faced, before pouncing on the sixth with a vintage pull shot to propel the ball to the square leg boundary and get off the mark.

A driven four courtesy of a misfield from Morne Morkel at mid-on was his only other contribution to the Australian score, closing his test tally on 13,378 runs at an average of 51.85.

The end came just before the break when he tried to cut the first delivery he faced from South African spinner Robin Peterson but only managed to get a thick edge onto the ball which ended up in the safe hands of Jacques Kallis at slip.

Ponting did not hang a round at the crease but was mobbed by South African players wanting to shake his hand as he walked from the field.

He looked back only once, doffing his helmet and raised both arms to bask for one last time in the applause of the crowd of his compatriots.

South Africa had begun well in their quest to bring a swift end to the match, secure successive series triumphs in Australia and ensure they would retain top spot in the ICC rankings.

Warner lasted just two deliveries in the bright morning sunshine before he edged the ball to Smith in the slips off the bowling of Vernon Philander.

Watson and Cowan weathered the early storm well after that before Morkel came on and re-energised the South African attack.

The big quick got his reward for some penetrating bowling when, having been softened up by some short bowling, Watson pushed cautiously at a delivery outside off and edged the ball to Smith.

Following a draining draw in the second test, Australia took a new pace attack to Perth but Siddle was quick to defend the team's tactics saying it was important to ensure the players don't suffer an injury.

Ricky Ponting, who called it quits, on a glorious international career at the WACA on Monday, told sources that while he regarded the Indian Little Master, Sachin Tendulkar, as the greatest batsman he had played against, it was the flamboyant West Indian, Brian Charles Lara, who gave him nightmares, for his ability to single-handedly turn a match on its head and take his team to victory.

'Punter', as Ricky Ponting was popularly known as, called it a day on one of the most glorious and celebrated careers in Test cricket history. A great competitor, an astute captain and a phenomenal batsman, Ponting epitomized the 'Never Say Die Attitude'. Shubhartho Ghosh, an avid follower of Australian cricket, takes us through an emotional journey of the legendary batsman.

South Africa maintained their supremacy as the No. 1 ranked team in Test cricket when they annihilated Australia by a whopping margin of 309 runs to clinch the 3-match series 1-0 on Day 4 of the third and final Test at the WACA in Perth. Ricky Ponting was dismissed for 8 in his final international appearance.